Bridge.



PATENTBD' APR. 23, 1907.

M. RLBIRON.

BRIDGE. APPLICATION FILED any 10, 1906 3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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PATENTED APR. 23, 1907.

,R. BIRON. BRIDGE} APPLICATION FILED JULY 10.1906

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vwontoz PATBNTED APR. 23, 1907. M. R. BIRON.

BRIDGE,

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1906.

3 SHBBTSBHEBT 3 51412211 for 1X in cases rm: NORRIS PETERS ca. WASHINGTON, n. c.

MARTIN R. BIRON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BRIDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application filed July 10, 1906. Serial No. 325,433.

T0 at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN R. BIRON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improve ments in Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a drawbridge and more particularly a horizontally-swingin'g bridge, and has for its object certain novel features of construction among which are two bridge sections each of which is pivoted on a pier or support and provided with means for turning each section horizontally. The bearings for each section have some novel feature which will be hereinafter de scribed. I

The bridge piers each consist of a vertical caisson of metal which is sunk into the river bed. This caisson consists of a shell or cylinder and is filled with concrete or cement. Surrounding the caisson is masonry or brickwork, and on top of the pier is placed the bearing for the bridge section. The sections may be turned individually or simultaneously, electric power being preferably employed.

Each section is constructed of steel girder framing and is so arranged that when the bridge is closed, about three-quarters of the same projects beyond the pier across the water course, the other quarter extending toward the abutment and forming the bridge approach.

The outer end of each section is provided with a hinged portion, means being also provided for tilting or elevating said portion to allow the bridge sections to be turned without interfering with each other.

The tail or shore end of each section is rounded or segmental in form so as to provide means for avoiding a gap at the end of the bridge when the same is open, the railing of-the bridge extending across the abutment and forming a guard for preventing trains or pedestrians from going on the bridge when the same is open.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure is a side elevation of the bridge showing the same closed; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing one of the bridge sections swung open; Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the bridge open, one of the bridge sections only being shown, as the other section is a duplicate; Fig. 4 is a vertical section of one of the piers and a bridge section; Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 10 are the two bridge piers, and 11 the abutments or approaches. Each pier consists of a vertical cylinder or caisson 10 which is sunk in the river bed near the bank thereof. The interior of each caisson is filled with cement or concrete 12, and surrounding the caisson 10 is masonry or brickwork 10 The latter does not extend to the top of the calsson.

The two bridge sections are indicated at 15, they being provided with suitable bearings on the piers. Each section is constructed of heavy steel girder work as shown at 15 and 15 Each section extends about threequarters of its length beyond the pier center when closed and one-quarter toward the rear or shore. These proportions, however, may be varied and the bridge may be extended to any length.

On top of the masonry 10 is a track 13, and 17 are a series of rollers running thereon. On the outside of the rollers is a ring or rim 18 provided with inwardly projecting pins or pivots 18 on which the rollers 17 are mounted. On the inside of the rollers is a retaining ring 18 16 is a housing extending downwardly from the bridge section and to which housing the main frame work of the bridge is attached. The housing surrounds the end. of the caisson projecting above the masonry, and has a flanged base 16 formed by riveting angle irons thereto as shown, which rest on the rollers 17. These rollers, therefore, carry the weight of the bridge. 14 is a circular rail or track secured to the caisson at the top thereof, and 19 is a series of rollers arranged circumferentially around the rail. These rollers 19 are supported by brackets 20 attached to the housing 16 onthe inside thereof. The pivot on which the bridge swings is indicated at 21 it being embedded in the filling 12 of the caisson.

On the tail end of the bridge is a bracket 22 provided with a horizontally projecting pin 22 on which a sleeve or collar 22 is loosely mounted which, when the bridge is closed engages a beam 23 extending from the abutment 11. This helps to support that part of the bridge which extends over the water course.

The track 13 is provided with an outer circular rack 25 which is engaged by a pinion 26 on a shaft 26 Which extends up to a suitable gearin driven by a motor in the power house 26*. uitable mechanism is there provided for operating, starting, reversing, etc., the means for turning the bridge.

The tail or shore end of each bridge section I is made segmental or circular as clearly shown at 27 in Fig. 2, and the abutment is also curved as at 11 to coincide therewith. This prevents any gap being formed between the bridge and its abutment, whether the bridge is open or closed. When the bridge is open the curved side thereof fits in the end of the abutment, the side railing 28 of the bridge forming a barrier or guard across the roadway.

To permit the outer ends of the bridge sections to fit closely and at the same time to be separated when the bridge sections are turned, I provide each section with a leaf or pivoted part 15 attached at 15 to the section. An operating rod 15 for tilting the part 15 is provided, said rod extending to the power house 26 1. A draw-bridge comprising horizontally swinging sections having vertically swinging meeting ends.

2. A horizontally swinging bridge and an abutment, said bridge having a curved end and sides at the tail or shore end, and a side railing, and the abutment having a curved end coinciding with the curve of the bridge, the side of the bridge fitting in the curved end of the abutment, and the railing extending across the same to form a guard when the bridge is open.

3. The combination with a pier having a cylindrical casing extending above the top thereof, of a horizontally swinging bridge pivoted to the pier, rollers on top of the pier, and a housing depending from the bridge and extending around the casing, and supported at its lower end on the rollers.

4. The combination with a pier having a cylindrical casing extending above the top thereof, of a horizontally swinging bridge pivoted to the pier, rollers on top of the pier, ahousing depending from the bridge and extending around the casing, and supported at its lower end on the rollers, and rollers between the casing and housing.

5. The combination with a pier having a cylindrical casing extending above the top thereof, of a horizontally swinging bridge pivoted to the pier, rollers on top of the pier, a housing depending from the bridge and extending around the casing, and supported at its lower end on the rollers, a track extending around the casing, and rollers carried by the inside of the housing and arranged circumferentially around the track.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MARTIN R. BIRON.

Witnesses:

SIGNA FELTSKOG, H. G. BATGHELOR. 

